Groomer to Groomer June 2015

THE GROOMING INDUSTRYS TRADE MAGAZINE!

VOL. 34 ED. 6 JUNE 2015 WWW.GROOMERTOGROOMER.COM

BLADEPLAQUE

MADE EASY

PANDAPOOCH

DEALINGWITH

STRESS

GROOMING APPARELPAIRING FUNCTION

WITH FASHION

GroomertoGroomer.com

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Copyright June 2015. Groomer to Groomer is published monthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Groomer to Groomer c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Annual U.S. subscription rate $25. Outside U.S. $79. year, surface rates. Groomer to Groomer is free to current Barkleigh Productions, Inc. customers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial of ces: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 6913388 FAX: (717) 6913381 Email: [email protected]

EDITORIAL STAFF

COLUMNISTS

Kathy Rose

Bonnie Wonders

Missi Salzberg

Teri DiMarino

Kathy Hosler

Dawn Omboy

Gary Wilkes

Mary Oquendo

Daryl Conner

ALSO INSIDEConner: The Sweet Smell of Success 6

Front Desk Frustration 16

Oquendo: Bleeding Injuries 22

Omboy: Panda Pooch Made Easy 26

Blade Plaque 28

Dealing with Stress 30

Wonders: To Work or Not to Work? 42

Sharpening Your Dremel Skills 48

Wilkes: Bear the Bad Schnauzer 52

Product/Industry News 64

Calendar of Events 68

Classifi eds 69 PAGE 36 by Colleen Mendelsohn

CONTENTS | JUNE 2015

EDITOR/PRESIDENT

Todd Shelly [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITOR Gwen Shelly [email protected]

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Adam Lohr [email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Shipman [email protected]

ART DIRECTOR

Lucas Colton [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Laura Pennington [email protected]

WEB DESIGNERS Lance Williams [email protected]

Luke Dumberth [email protected]

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING James Severs [email protected]

IS IT RINGWORM?

GROOMING APPAREL

PAGE 10 by Kathy Hosler

PAIRING FUNCTION WITH FASHION

MIXED BREEDMAKEOVER

PAGE 60 by Kathy Rose

THE GROOMING INDUSTRYS TRADE MAGAZINE!

VOL. 34 ED. 6 JUNE 2015 WWW.GROOMERTOGROOMER.COM

BLADEPLAQUE

MADE EASY

PANDAPOOCH

DEALINGWITH

STRESS

GROOMING APPARELPAIRING FUNCTION

WITH FASHION

?

ON THE COVER: Illustration by Laura Pennington

GroomertoGroomer.com6 Groomer to Groomer Vol 34 Ed 6 June 2015

A s a professional pet stylist, what does the word success mean to you? I asked this question and got some really interesting responses, which I wanted to share.

I found a niche that suits my grooming skills, personality, and passion for helping pets and their guardians, says Renee Pierre, owner of Joyful Grooming House Call Pet Service (East Greenwich, RI.) I am a house call groomer specializing in pets who are usually labeled anxious, nervous, difficult, fearful or unable to be groomed. I had no idea I would love this job as much as I do. I am thrilled to be greeting each work day with the challenge of accomplishing something that may have been previously unavailable to a pet. I look

past the labels and work one-on-one to achieve a satisfactory outcome for everyone involved. That is the joy in Joyful Grooming!

The Queen of Color, Dawn Omboy joined the discussion. Success is in those clients, who over the years, have become family. Its being able to still love my job after over 30 years. It blows me away that because of the love of dogs I have been able to support my family as well as travel, share and learn.

Anyone who has groomed for more than a day knows that our jobs are difficult. Yet, the very challenges that grooming presents are what attracts some people to the industry and keeps them in it for years.

A successful groomer complains about being so busy when they are

working, but then feels lost when they are not working, says Marilyn Hayes, (Tails U Win, Resaca, GA.) Its not just about money. I need to groom, Im addicted to it. I want to be the best groomer in town. Im a success because Im happiest while working or at a grooming show leaning all that I can. The payoff is an explosion of joy and high praise for me when a customer sees their dog after a grooming. DGaye Findlay, (Dog Grooming by DGaye, Corvallis, Oregon) agrees. I believe that my measure of success is that I still love my work and would rather be a groomer than anything else. It hasnt brought me fame or fortune, but its served me well.

There was some excellent advice shared by groomers while we had

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this conversation. I think to be successful you need to learn your limits, said Barb Hoover (owner Professional Pet Grooming and The Groomers Lounge, Leavenworth, KS.) Some people dont do well with some types of dog or owner personalities. Some people can work 10-12 hour days and love it, while others need to keep it a 6-8. Some love big dogs, while others just physically cant do them. Every groomer is different. Learning your limits and accepting them will bring you success.

Stylist Donna Cleverdon built a prosperous business which she was able to sell when she retired. She listed some things that she believes are key for groomers to know:

A successful groomer can maintain a stable client base. This is done by being really good to customers. Treat people honestly and

charge a fair price. It is important to like and

respect your clients. They will return the favor and recommend you to others.

People will pay lots of money and love you if you take good care of their pets. It also helps to smile.

You cant run a business by under-cutting yourself and not charging enough. That leads to burn out.

Never stop learning. Nobody is so good at grooming that they cannot get any better. Learn, study, go to shows, and talk to other groomers. This will help you build on the experiences of others.

Sometimes success is predicated on change. Be flexible and able to change as the need arises.

The career of grooming is attractive to different people for different reasons. I get kissed a lot!

says Mary Arnold, (Bit OBlarney Pet Services) And I feel validated every day. I love being able to do what I love and get paid well for it. Grooming satisfies my need to be artistic, and it pays the bills too. No boring office job for me!

Success is relative, says Ileana Nogueras, (Wilmington, DE.) I remember when I measured my success by how many fi gures my tax return read at the end of the years. And boy, I earned each of those fi gures. I grew my mobile business at a fast pace, never sacrifi cing the quality of the work I put out. But you know what I did sacrifi ce? My personal time. Th at realization lead me to reassess what success really meant to me. Th is is what I came up with:

Personal satisfaction. Knowing that my family comes fi rst.

Professional satisfaction. Knowing that I have developed a wonderful

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clientele, who are loyal and with whom I am partners when it comes to taking care of their pets.

Professional growth. Furthering my education with the intention of gaining better knowledge and understanding on how to better service my clients, both two and four legged.

A deep sense of giving back. It is not how much you give, but how much you care.

I believe you can achieve all these when you develop a sense of balance and what is important. To me that is success.

Few people become pet groomers with the idea of making loads of money. Grooming is a service, and traditionally those working in service

industries dont get rich quick. Yet there is something deeply satisfying about working with animals.

For me its the feeling of peace in the quiet moments that everything in life is just as it should be for that current time. Its waking up the majority of days looking forward to what greets me, and its going to bed a healthy type of tired; feeling Ive achieved what needed to be done and did the work it took to get there, says Sami Stanley (Grateful Grooming, Milford, Delaware.)

Her advice to her peers is this, Never stop striving for your dreams. Never stop working towards them. Never give up. Educate yourself all the time, and not just by traditional means. Let life give you lessons.

They are everywhere. And always be appreciative, always keep humble.

Finding contentment in your work, earning a decent living and being able to do it all in the company of animals is a powerful combination. Beyond this, successful groomers should plan to save money for the future, and be certain that they are protecting their assets by having proper insurance coverage. From health insurance to liability and even disability insurance. Having these systems in place will help if illness or an accident derails your careful plans.

Enjoying the satisfaction of turning pets from scruffy to fluffy; from stinky to sweet; pet grooming is a business that is not suited to everyone. But for those of us who call this career a way of life, we are hard at it every day because for us, grooming matters!.


Finding contentment in your work,

earning a decent living and being able

to do it all in the company of animals is a

powerful combination.


W hen you get dressed for a day of grooming, do you glance in the mirror and think, Wow! I really look good? Well, you should. In order to do your best work, you need to feel good about yourself and the way that you look. Your appearance plays a major role in the way your clients perceive and treat you. Pet parents want to know that their precious fur babies are being cared for by a qualified stylist, and professional attire helps reinforce that confidence.

The pet care industry has grown by gigantic leaps and bounds in recent years. Todays stylists have become respected business people and as such; cut-offs, t-shirts and flip flops are no longer acceptable attire. To fill this need, more and more manufacturers are designing stylish, well-fitting, pet themed professional grooming attire.

When Jodi Murphy introduced her USA made clothing line, giving pet stylists a professional look was uppermost in her mind.

I designed all my own patterns. My grooming apparel fits like upscale clothing; its not loose and boxy looking. says Jodi. The fabric I use is a breathable nylon. There are literally thousands of nylon fabrics on the market. My biggest challenge was to find one that was durable, washes well, and can air dry quickly, says Jodi. Quick drying is really important for mobile groomers. They often get wet during the process of grooming pets, and they are in and out of their units going to clients

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houses.Besides helping you present

a positive image, professional grooming apparel is also designed to protect its wearer. Do you know that your health could be impacted by the clothing that you wear while you are grooming? Could grooming apparel possibly contribute to how long (or brief) your career as a groomer may be? Possiblywhen it comes to grooming apparel, its importance in protecting you cannot be underestimated.

Do you know why most grooming clothing is made of nylon or a nylon blend? Nylon has a high-density weave hair cannot adhere to it. The nylon material keeps hair from getting on the skin and undergarments of the groomers that wear them and that can really

minimize problems. Have you ever had embedded hairs in the creases of your elbows or in other delicate places? Its no fun, and it can lead to serious infections, painful abscesses, severe itching and more.

Thats one reason that you should never groom in cotton scrubs. They offer no protection from hair. In fact, hair clings to them and works itself deeply into the fabric. Then when you wash the scrubs, some of the hair can transfer to the other clothing, and soon there are tiny hairs everywhere, ready to poke and irritate your skin. And, bacteria can easily cling to regular clothing and could possibly be transferred from one pet to the next.

Many groomers get hot and request that manufacturers produce sleeveless tops; however, that puts

them at risk for hair getting into their skin and their undergarments. An alternate solution would be to try a roomier top. When you wear something that does not cling to your skin, it allows air to circulate and to keep the wearer cooler.

Manufacturers have designed their groom wear with all of these concerns in mind.

Mr. Robert Heller, owner of Max & Molly Wear says, Our designs go beyond appearance. Everything is designed for the comfort and protection of the groomers. On our

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tops that have short sleeves, the sleeves extend almost to the elbow. Thats done on purpose to protect the elbow crease from hair slivers.

Our pants are made to be long with a flair on the bottom to cover the top of the shoes. That protects the socks from getting covered with hair, continues Mr. Heller. And all of our tops have a covered pocket or a snap closure to keep hair out. (Thats a real bonus for any groomer who has ever found a surprise gift of poop in their pocket from a dog they were carrying).

Our line is designed by groomers for groomers, says Ms. Michelle, owner of Pet Groomer Apparel in San Diego, California. Design and fit are uppermost in importance. A lot of our smocks have a sleeve. That allows groomers who sit to groom to rest their elbows

on the table and not get any hair splinters, and the longer length also helps protect the stylist from scratches from the pets toenails. We offer sizes to fit almost every groomer - from XXS to 4XL and we are introducing new products like our convertible cargo pants.

Quality is important to us, says Elaine Millard of Professional Designs, Inc. All of our apparel is made right here in Iowa. Our seams are double stitched during the construction of the garments, and we use reinforced snaps for durability. We are happy to do custom orders, like embroidery, special inseam lengths, or adding elastic to the waist of our tops or ankles of pants.

Gone are the days when groomers had a really limited choice of work wear. Now, everyone can

have a stylish wardrobe of colorful, professional outfits and uniforms that will help you put some pizzazz in your workday. Yes, now you can have it allfit, fashion, fun and protection - all designed exclusively for the pet care professional.

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FRONT DESK FRUSTRATION

Before I opened my own stationary pet salon, I used to daydream about what it would be like. I pictured myself caring for each dog as if they were my own. I pictured myself bathing and drying, scissoring and sculpting. In my head, I had a rack of organized bandannas, a shelf of quality shampoos, a drawer full of freshly sharpened shears, and most importantly, I had scores of satisfied customers. I envisioned myself starting each day fresh and ending each day triumphant.

Then reality set in. I became a salon owner. But instead of the way I envisioned it, I started each day frazzled and ended each

day exhausted. There are phone messages waiting, laundry to do, potty to clean up, phones to answer, shampoo bottles to refill, trash cans to empty, tables to disinfect, and a lunch that sits yet uneaten. Oh, and Im supposed to groom enough dogs in a day to pay the bills somewhere in there as well.

One of the first casualties of an overworked salon owners day is usually customer service. In order to meet our deadlines, calls are directed to voicemail with a message stating that they will be returned in the afternoon. Our patience is worn thin by clients that chain-dial our number until we answer or by clients that feel the need to stop in in the middle of

our workday. As a result, we may not be at our very best when interacting with our customers.

A worrisome problem with this scenario is that there are salons that do answer their phones throughout the day. Salons where clients are able to reach a staff member during business hours to inquire about pricing, to check if their pet is almost finished, or to discuss a new development in their pets health. New clients, the lifeblood of service oriented businesses, are able to speak with someone right away and book an appointment. These salons may be pulling business away from the ones that leave the phones unmanned for most of the day. They

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exhibit a professional, well-staffed and unhurried environment. And the client feels that the business is attentive and accessible.

What makes these salons different? How are they able to accomplish this? They have a dedicated staff member whose primary task is taking care of the client. Theyve hired the cavalry, otherwise known as The Receptionist. Bah, you say. I cant afford a receptionist. Thats just that much more money taken off of my profit per dog, you say. Not necessarily. If you structure his/her pay and daily duties correctly, hiring a receptionist will enable you to groom more dogs in a day than without one and still make a profit after payroll expenses.

First, decide if you need (not want, but need) someone to work

the entire day. If not, then decide what portion of the day will most benefit you. This can vary from salon to salon, based on whether all clients are due in at a given time interval (say from 8am-10am) or whether appointments are scheduled throughout the day. In 18 years of owning my salon and training receptionists, Ive consistently found that they are unable to help with checking clients in, as they are not groomers. So at my salon, the receptionist reports in late mornings after pets are in for the day.

Deciding what their duties will include is the fun part. The front desk position can encompass whatever it is you need it to, this side of the law and within reason. At my salon, the front desk employee isnt just responsible for the front desk. Her (for simplicitys sake Ill

use the female pronoun) primary job description is to perform all tasks necessary to ensuring that my grooming staff and I, including my bather, were free to groom and groom unfettered. Those of you that pay your groomers hourly and require them to fulfill housekeeping and phone duties may want to reconsider your allocation of chores. There is a train of thought in management circles that you never want to make your highest paid help perform the duties of a lower paid position. In other words, if your $25-30/hour groomer is accumulating 10 extra hours per week doing the work of a $9-10/hour employee, youre wasting money and resources. Rather than sorting towels and answering phones, your groomer could use those 10 hours to groom and earn you both more money.

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Assign the proper tasks to the proper people for the proper pay.

Some, with groomers paid on commission, may assign these tasks to the bather to complete. Though that still requires the juggling of customer service with back-of-the-house grooming tasks, it can be a viable option with the right person. But in my experience, those folks that have what it takes to work well with demanding pets dont always have what it takes to work well with

their demanding humans. Morning duties can include

returning overnight voicemails and preparing client grooming reports, preparing a list of the days grooms and their respective pick up times, placing confirmation phone calls for the next days appointments and of course, answering the phone.

As the day progresses, she can check out clients, keep the work areas free of hair, refill shampoo bottles, keep bathing area floors dry,

rotate laundry, verify vaccine records with local vets, schmooze the clients and continue to answer the phones.

End of the day tasks will include disinfecting floors, table and crates, emptying trash bins, recording the days groomings in client files, gathering dull blades and shears to send out for sharpening, cutting bandanna material, making bows, dusting retail product and yes, answering those phones.

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do in a day now that its spelled out as a task list for someone else to do? By delegating these menial tasks to the appropriate staff member, you are now freed up to do what it is that you do best and your clients needs are met.

Now before placing an employment ad, youll need to determine what you want to pay for the position. I believe that a staff member is only viable if they bring in double what they cost. So if she works a 6 hour day at $9/hour shell cost you $54 plus company contributions for payroll tax. Therefore you should be able to bring in at least $100-120 more in grooming appointments when shes scheduled. In my particular market, thats about 2-2.5 more haircuts daily. Ive consistently found that with a receptionist, I can add on 3-4 more haircuts for myself alone, depending on the size of the dog, its temperament and the style chosen.

Once youve outlined what the position pays and the duties it entails, youre ready to hire. Look for candidates that are outgoing and friendly, with a ready smile. They are the face of your company, the one clients will see first as they enter, as well as talk to when making appointments, so be sure that its someone personable.

Ideal candidates should possess

good grammar skills, and stellar phone manners. They will be in contact with local vets as needed to maintain shot records so they must be polite and professional. Stress that while you understand that you dont expect this job to become their life, you do expect them to refrain from unnecessary call outs because the day will already be booked with enough grooms to complete successfully, only if the front desk is manned.

Ive found that stay at home parents re-entering the work force make wonderful front desk staff. Theyre often eager to earn a paycheck again and relish time with adults. These folks often love conversation and engage my clients in a way that makes them feel at home.

College students taking evening classes and spouses of military personnel who have recently been

stationed in the area have made great candidates as well, so think of advertising on campuses and in base newspapers.

Ive spelled out the virtues of hiring desk staff, but you may be wondering what the drawbacks are. The added payroll taxes and reporting can be a hindrance and managing personnel can come with its own unique set of problems. The work ethics of others are never quite the same as ours, which is why proper screening at the application and interview time is pivotal in finding a match. Make a concrete list of attributes you are seeking, create a set of interview questions and call for references.

All in all, however, I find the benefits to outweigh the risks. My clients feel welcomed, my salon looks professional, and Im again free to live the dream of starting the day fresh and ending it triumphant.

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In the 15 years I have been grooming, one thing I learned is that accidents can and do happen. We do not plan them, but we work with live animals. Being prepared to perform first aid promptly will reduce the pets pain and speed healing.

First aid is the prompt care of wounds prior to any necessary veterinary treatment. In a situation such as a grooming injury, first aid is not practicing veterinary medicine any more than addressing a scraped elbow is practicing medicine. But, as pets are considered property, you do need to have the owners permission to do so. A signed waiver to perform first aid as well as a veterinary release should be on file for all clients.

After an injury, the first step is to calm down and take a deep breath. When one is scared, adrenaline rushes to the brain, basically making it inoperable. Adrenaline is responsible for the fight, flight, or freeze syndrome necessary for

survival during emergencies. You act on instinct rather than thinking through your options. Breathing in deeply helps to force oxygen back into your brain, dissipating adrenaline. Movement, as in retrieving your first aid kit once the pet is secure, also reduces adrenaline.

For bleeding injuries, you will need the following from your kit:

Muzzle: This pet is likely in pain and may bite.

Wound rinse: Clean injuries heal faster. Appropriate choices include sterile saline solution (eyewash), chlorohexidine wound rinse, or Vetericyn. Rinsing with tap, sterile, or bottled water will disrupt the salt balance of cells slowing healing. Hydrogen peroxide can damage healthy tissue, which slows healing, and cats cannot metabolize it. Alcohol stings and will cause more pain to the pet.

Nonstick and regular gauze: Apply nonstick gauze to the wound itself. Regular gauze can disturb the

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scab when changing bandages. Antibiotic cream: Triple

antibiotic cream should not be used on cats. Although it is a rare allergy, it may be fatal.

Surgical glue: If you have been instructed in its proper usage. Used incorrectly, it can trap dirt and bacteria in the wound. Krazy glue is not labeled for use on wounds and as such does not need to use medically safe ingredients.

Cotton and gauze rolls Vet wrap Gauze tape Blood clotting agent: such as ice,

tea bags, or Hemastop. I do not recommend blood clotting powders, as they sting.

Three common areas for injuries are the ears, eyes, and pads.

Ear Injuries Rinse the wound and use a

blood-clotting agent or surgical glue, if necessary.

Place a piece of sterile non-stick gauze over the wound and apply slight pressure, as well as gently squeezing the base of the ear. This pressure may stop the bleeding.

You can apply antibiotic cream on the gauze.

Cushion the ears by placing several pieces of regular gauze to both sides of the ear.

Position the ear along side of the head. With a roll of gauze or cotton roll, wrap the ear to the head. It should be rolled as the gauze roll rests on the head, so that it will not be too tight or too loose. The uninjured ear should stick out with

FIG. 3

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

FIG. 2

FIG. 5

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gauze on either side, so that the wrapping does not slide off the head (Fig. 1).

Secure the ear with vet wrap or a Happy Hoodie. You want to restrict movement of the ear. If they shake their head with an unrestricted ear, any clotting will be undone.

Use an e collar to prevent this pet from scratching at his head.

Transport to vet.

Eye InjuriesInjured eyes have a short

shelf life for full recovery. A better utilization of your time is to get to your veterinarian ASAP. The three things you can do is:

Flush the eyes with sterile eyewash.

Put an e-collar on them to prevent further injury.

Call the veterinarian to inform them of your impending arrival.

Pad InjuriesIf the injury to the pad is due to

an ingrown nail, use caution if you decide to remove it. It may bleed profusely and will be very painful. This pet may bite.

Rinse the wound and use a blood-clotting agent or surgical glue if necessary.

Apply non-stick sterile gauze to the wound and then cushion with several pieces of regular gauze. Apply gentle direct pressure, as well as press the soft spot behind the large pad on the paw. You can apply antibiotic cream to the gauze (Fig. 2).

Wrap the foot with rolled gauze. As with the ear injury, roll the gauze as it rests on the foot (Fig. 3).

Wrap cotton roll over the gauze. This also will cushion the sore pad (Fig. 4).

Use vet wrap to secure the gauze in place and keep it dry (Fig 5).

Keep the weight off of the injured paw and transport to vet.

Inform the owners of any injuries, no matter how minor they seem to you. I have never lost a client due to an injury, but have gained many new clients of groomers who did not tell them of the injury. Call the veterinarian before you transport to give them time to prepare for your arrival, as well as bring the pets file that includes a signed veterinarian release. Without a signed release, the veterinarian may not be able to treat.

While you cant always prevent an accident, you can always be prepared.


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Rennie Harper is a cute little bichon mix that is a regular at our salon in Columbus Georgia. He normally gets a no frills easy to care for short clip. On his last visit however, his mom asked about some of the coloring she has seen me do and mentioned that she would like to give Rennie a Panda dye job. Well you know me, this was very exciting! So I discussed it with her and she and her husband really wanted to do it for their granddaughter, Lauren Hill, as soon

as Rennie had enough hair to pull off the look.

I arranged for Rennie to come in the day before his color transforma-tion so that I could color test prod-ucts on him. This way I would know exactly what would work best and to be sure there would be no reaction to the products that were to be used to create this look. Since I would be dying his legs black, I decided to test on his feet the day before the actual groom would take place (Fig 1).

On the following day, Rennie

came back in for the actual dye job. This went relatively quickly since I had tested dyes for color quality the day before. I began by looking at different panda photos to make sure the markings were correct.

Next I wrapped his tail in foil to prevent any black dye from getting on it. Then with the help of a small applicator brush and using Choles-terol, I outlined the design, brushing the cholesterol away from the areas to be dyed. This way it acted as a protective border, holding the hair

E by Dawn Omboy ewww.queenofcolor.com

FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 3

PANDAMADE EASY

POOCH

in the opposite direction and out of my way while I applied the dye to the designated areas with the small ap-plicator brush (Fig 2).

I find it easiest to start from the bottom of the legs and line brush the dye into the coat, working my way up as I go (Fig 3). This helps get a more even coverage. With the panda legs done, I moved on to the head and dyed his ears using the same small applicator brush. I then wrapped them in foil while still needing to set the eye pattern. That would be done by switching to a smaller, firm bristled artist paint brush and under-lining the eyes (Fig 4). You can see the white ring around the eye, as you should take care not to get any dyes too close to the dogs eyes.

After all dye is applied, carefully comb through with the wide tooth end of your comb to make sure your color is distributed evenly (Fig 5). Then wait approximately 25-30 min-utes after the comb through before rinsing. Be sure to shampoo so the remaining color will stay on your dog and not the clients couch! Now just dry and scissor up your cutest little panda ever and he will be ready to make everyone who sees him want to cuddle him (Fig 6).

Rennie the Panda was done to honor Miss Lauren Hill, an incredible young lady with cancer who is leaving a legacy behind. Please check out The Lauren Hill Wings of Hope Foundation to learn more. And visit me, Queen of Color on Facebook. See you next issue and remember, keep making the world more colorful, one dog at a time!

Making the World more Colorful, one dog at a time...

Queen of Color


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BLADEBLADEBLADEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUEPLAQUE

B lade plaque is that stuff that sticks to the inside of the teeth on your clipper blades. Most dont pay attention to it, but in reality its something you need to remove and keep off your blades as part of your blade cleaning process.

What is it made of? Blade plaque is a combination

of many things; all organic in nature from right off the dogs youre grooming. Dander, hair pieces, mole spores, soap scum, insect residue, insect eggs, and anything else thats in the coat. It builds up from a foundation of moisture, and starts layering its self to a point where you

cant get the blade through coat. I was taught in grooming school back in the 80s to make sure this stuff gets cleaned off because it slows the blade down, made sense to me!

There are other things about blade plaque you should be aware of; its a media of food and shelter for bacteria, as well as viruses. I bartered a groom job from a microbiologist at our local college, and told her Id bring a blade into her that was full of this stuff and wanted her to analyze it. Well I did, and the results were shocking.

This microbiologist was able to take the media from the blade teeth and layer it vertically and horizontally. They did gram stains

and cultures from every part of the media and found bacteria in every single part of the plaque. I then asked, if this bacteria can live in every part of this media; can viruses do the same? She said without hesitation, that viruses can thrive in this organic media. She didnt test for virus because it wasnt part of the bartered job.

What about spray disinfectants?The few that come to mind

are Phenylphenol, Triclosan, and Ethanol 2-butoxy. They all do a good job but they are surface disinfectants not contact killers like bleach. Bleach, and some other very controlled disinfectants you can get

from the vet are contact killers, these surface disinfectants work over time. If you read the label of the disinfectant youre using, it will tell you how long the product must remain wet on the blade for the disinfectant to work.

Will spray disinfectants work on blade plaque?

Because they do a good job controlling microbes on the surface of your blades, I dont think they will get into the layers of blade plaque that could be hosting any harmful microbes. Now your spray disinfectant may control microbes on the surface of the blade plaque, but as you go to your next dog, the hair is going to scrape that top layer of blade plaque away, exposing fresh media underneath it. If there are any microbes in the fresh media, there is a chance you can spread it to another dog. Common bacteria may not hurt anything because its

everywhere in your shop, but what if a Parvo virus, or Kennel Cough virus are present in the media?

So what do we do with blade plaque?

You clean it off. As a groomer, its your job to clean your blades when you go home or between dogs. Blade plaque only builds up if the blade isnt cleaned properly. There are ways of cleaning properly and effectively that are very fast and easy to do. The basic one is a toothbrush in blade wash. Take your blade and run a toothbrush between the teeth of your blades with a wash that has a disinfectant in it. If you clean your blades properly between dogs or at the end of the day, you will never see blade plaque. There shouldnt be anything sticking to the

inside of the teeth on your blades. There are several other ways to clean effectively, like your power washer in the tub, ultrasonic cleaners, etc. But you have to keep blade plaque from building up on your blades, it could benefit you one day down the road by preventing something from spreading through your shop.

Jeff Andrews is a World Class Sharpener and owner of Northern Tails Sharpening, Inc. He is an author and pioneer of many equipment maintenance videos and how-to articles that are appreciated by groomers worldwide at no cost. Jeff is a Certified Groomer of 30+ years, and is a member of NDGAA, IPG, and NAPCG. Jeff still grooms at his shop in Mobile, AL. http://www.northerntails.com251-232-5353


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E by Deborah Walker e

How do we deal with stress? Or maybe the question should be, can we eliminate stress from our lives? Well, of course notstress is all around us. How we handle that stress is vital to our well-being. Before we can deal with stress, we need to look at what leads us into that state of frustration. Recognizing when we are reaching an emotional breakdown is critical to our response.

Trigger PointsFirst, ask yourself what is

stressing you out. Is it a personal relationship, children, a co-worker, an employer or employee? Perhaps

its an animal youre working with or a disturbing phone call, or maybe an unsatisfied customer. Any of these could be the catalyst to creating a feeling of exasperation. Our response to the situation can make or break our day. Have you ever noticed that if your first dog is a problem child, the rest of your day goes badly? That is quite common. But does it have to be? Was the first dog on your table the problem or did you bring the problem to work? Often, we carry that stress to work with us; things like arguing with a family member, our kids not cooperating or traffic issues can contribute to our response to that first dog on the table.

Recognizing the trigger point to our emotions is so critical to changing the outcome of our day. If you notice, the days that you are happy, jovial and in great spirits seem to be your best days ever. The dogs work with you, not against you. Did the dogs notice how you were feeling? Of course! How we approach our day and how we feel impacts not only us, but everyone around us.

Lets say you came to work in a good mood but someone else at work was upset. Will your good mood last for long? Probably not, because our emotions feed off the responses of others around us. Does it have to be this way? NO. We are

STRESSDEALING WITH


in control of our own behavior, emotions and responses. How we respond to situations and the issues at hand will make or break the atmosphere of our day.

Identifying the StimulusRecognizing what affects

your emotions is the first key to changing your response to life issues. Ask yourself, do I feel good or bad when I respond in a negative way? Anger begets more anger, which becomes an epidemic all around us. Remember, you are in control of your own behavior.

Smiles and happiness are also contagious. We have a choice in all situations. Dont own someone elses behavior by your response. If we can handle people with compassion, kindness and loving thoughts, the outcome is filled with contagious smiles and

light-hearted humor that surrounds our world. This will lower the daily stress we have in our lives.

Think of it this way: children raised in a violent or negative environment often grow up with anger issues and that anger feeds everyone around them. What about a child raised in the same environment who comes out with the opposite behavior? This happens because they choose not to respond in the same way. It does not make them feel good about themselves when they are around angry people. Every single day we have choices in our life about how we want to live or who we want to be around.

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cannot communicate their feelings to us. Sadly, mishandling of these animals is on an increase. The burnout stage of stylists leaving this profession is normally 7 years, and the main reason they leave their careers is due to stress in their lives. BUT, this doesnt need to be the case. Recognizing how we feel is just the beginning to enjoying each day. The old adage leave your troubles behind should be taken to heart when entering the door to work and, while easier said than done, we need to practice this daily.

Plan Your DayOne step to success is to arrive

early to work. If you show up late, you dont have a moment to regroup your thoughts before starting your day. Its important to give yourself the time you need to leave personal matters at home and prepare for your day at work.

Time spent at work is just as much a relationship as the ones you have with family, kids, partners, etc. You spend an average of 6-12 hours at work, so work relationships need just as much respect,

communication, and nurturing. Building a positive environment with employer, employees and co-workers is a must to minimizing the stress level in the shop.

Thinking positive thoughts, having pleasant conversations and smiling will always put your troubles of home on the back burner. Spending about 15 minutes for your down time is all you need to get into the swing of the day. Meditation is also an excellent way to help start your day.

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Thinking positive thoughts, having pleasant conversations and smiling will always put your troubles of home on the back burner. Spending about 15 minutes for your down time is all

you need to get into the swing of the day.


The Dogs MoodNow that you are on the right

track by thinking positive thoughts and developing a good mood, we are ready to talk dogs. The second stress level of your day is the grooming shop. The time you spend with the dogs determines how they see you as a pack leader. Take time out to play with them. Let them know youre happy to see them. This can quickly change your mood if you are not totally up to par.

Dogs have a way of loving us unconditionally with no judgments. Take note of how youre feeling when they are so happy to see you. The next step to a stress-free environment is to see how the dogs are feeling. It might be their first time, something could have happened at home or on the ride to the shop, and they brought their own issues with them. Since dogs cannot communicate with us verbally, its important to read their body language and their responses to us. Normally, dogs that are happy to be with you are also willing to work with you. Pick the one that is most happy so the others can follow by example.

TablesAs you know, proper grooming

equipment is essential. Having tables that move up and down is critical not only for your physical health, but also as a tool to communicate with the dogs. By teaching dogs to jump onto the table themselves, you will soon know whether they are willing to work with you or not. In the

beginning it may take a little time to teach them that jump, but the benefits of less stress outweigh the time it takes to teach. Even smaller dogs should learn this method

What you see from watching them move is a great indicator that can help with your handling skills as you process them through. What are indicators? A dog that normally jumps onto the table but does not

want to or acts like it wants to but cant are indications something is wrong. You may need to look into more information about what has happened to the dog for it not to jump onto the table.

Taking these simple steps will help reduce stress levels in your grooming shop and ensure your day is an enjoyable one.

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R ingworm is one of the most over and under diagnosed conditions in veterinary dermatology. Dermatophytosis (ringworm) is a fungal infection of the hair, superficial skin, and occasionally nails. Contrary to the common name for dermatophytosis, ringworm, it is not a parasite and worms are not the problem! Three species of ringworm cause the majority of infections: Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes; with Microsporum canis being the most commonly seen and it is more common in cats than dogs. It is often forgotten as a potential problem in adult pets. However, at the same

time, lesions of other, more common conditions are frequently mistaken for ringworm, by owners, groomers and animal health care professionals.

Depending on the organism involved, the most common source of infection are other infected pets or contaminated environments (M. canis), rodents (T. mentagrophytes, and occasionally the soil (M. gypseum). Because the organisms survive so well in the environment, it presents a particular problem for groomers. In addition to the condition being present in the environment, some animals may act as carriers of the disease with no visible lesions, which then can be passed on to more susceptible animals in the grooming

facility. M. canis can survive in the environment for at least 13 months, making reinfection a common problem as well. Therefore, pets that have been treated and resolved could potentially become re-infected and again become a source of the contamination to your facility.

People who come into contact with infected animals are also at risk of developing ringworm. The highest risk are those that have suppressed immune responses including children, the elderly or those with weakened immune responses through disease or medications. As with animals, most individuals who are exposed will not develop an infection.

E by Colleen M

endelsohn e

DVM Diplomate

American Colleg

e of Veterinary D

ermatologyRINGWO

RMIS IT ?


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The symptoms of ringworm are NOT specific. The most common clinical signs of infection are hair loss, broken hairs, and darkening of the skin. The owners will often report that the problem is not itchy. Other signs may include red bumps, itching, crusting, scaling, and occasionally a discharge is noted as well. When the claws are affected, they can become brittle and even break, eventually leading to the claws becoming deformed.

However, a ring of scale and hairloss with darkening of the skin is NOT usually a symptom of ringworm, it is more often an indication of a bacterial skin infection (this lesion is referred to as an epidermal collarette), and most often associated with the organism Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Unlike ringworm, this condition is not contagious and does not pose a risk to the other pets in your care, although, without knowing what is causing the lesion, it is important to properly disinfect any area where a pet with lesions has been.

If any abnormal lesion is noted, let the pet owner know and make sure they seek advice from their veterinarian. When an owner makes an appointment and lets you know in advance that their pet has a skin condition, getting a letter from their veterinarian indicating that it is safe to groom them is also recommended.

Treating ringworm can be a long process. The problem should be treated both topically and systemically (oral medications) in some cases. Even among veterinary dermatologists there is disagreement whether an animal should be shaved for treatment. On the one hand, clipping the coat allows better access for topical medications and shortens the hairs, upon which the organisms thrive. However, shaving a pet that has ringworm contaminates

Ringworm does not always present as pink lesions, as shown in this patient. (Photo by Animal Dermatology Clinic)

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the person doing the shaving, the facility, as well as the grooming equipment. Unless the coat is long and extremely unkempt or an animal is not responding to therapy, shaving the coat is generally avoided.

If your facility is associated with a veterinary hospital and the veterinarian has prescribed topical therapy for a ringworm positive pet, the dip or shampoo should be done away from the general grooming area. The bather should wear protective gear and the room should

have its own ventilation system. After the bath the entire area and the vents should be decontaminated. Veterinary dermatologists will recommend that the animal have at least 2 negative cultures about a month apart from each other before they can be declared disease free. Additionally, any in contact animal should be cultured as well. Ringworm cultures can take up to 3-4 weeks to get a final negative result.

Ringworm is difficult to remove from the environment. Some basic

steps include: Destroy all fabric bedding, rugs and towels that cannot be washed in a 1:10 bleach solution (0.5%). All surfaces and grooming supplies should be soaked for 5 minutes in a 1:10 bleach solution. Clippers, dryers and other items that cannot be soaked should be wiped down as best as possible and retired for a few months if possible. All heating and cooling ducts and vents should be vacuumed and disinfected. These procedures should ideally be done before closing

Dog with Ringworm on his head (Photo by Animal Dermatology Clinic)

Human with Ringworm (Photo by James Heilman MD)

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to prevent human exposure to the fumes from the concentrated bleach solution.

If a pet has skin lesions, and has been diagnosed with ringworm, then other pets in the house are also sources of infection, as are any articles of clothing, towels or toys that a pet owner might bring with them for their grooming appointment. Pet owner education is key to making sure that the pets are well taken care of, and that

the grooming facility as well as the employees are adequately protected.

Dr. Mendelsohn is a 1997 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and received Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2004. After graduation from UC Davis, Dr. Mendelsohn completed an internship with the Animal Emergency Clinic and Animal Specialty Group in San Diego. She later practiced general medicine before

starting her residency with the Animal Dermatology Clinic in 2000. Her love and appreciation of the human-animal bond is what drew Dr. Mendelsohn to this specialty. Another opportunity that Dr. Mendelsohn enjoys is the training of veterinary students, helping these students appreciate the hidden complexities of dermatologic disease.For more information please visit www.animaldermatology.com.

If a pet has skin lesions, and has been diagnosed with ringworm, then other pets in the house are also sources of infection, as are

any articles of clothing, towels or toys that a pet owner might bring with them for their grooming appointment.

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Iwould probably be the CDCs worst nightmare.I am one of those who goes to work no matter how high the fever, how sore the throat and/or how delirious I am from the flu. I could single handedly infect the entire western half of the state with my germs. My store constantly smells like a mixture of Lysol and Cotton Breeze air fresheners.Apparently, it is a winning combination of scents as nearly everyone comments on how incredibly clean it smells. Yes, sickness is a natural part of everyday life.However, with me, its the accidents that I seem to get myself into that are even worse than the illnesses....and believe me, I can out-klutz the best of you.I dont know how I manage to not have dog related

injuries. Its in all the other aspects of life that I do myself harm.

I think I was just born with naturally weak ankles.From the earliest that I can remember, I was always falling over something.I was the one who would try jumping rope and not make it past the fourth jump.Yes, that was me, flat on my face with the busted open chin lying on the blacktop.You would think I would have at least learned to try jumping in the grass.Nah, not me. I was forever losing my footing on the monkey bars on the playground and banging that same chin on one of the bars.I couldnt jump over the smallest part of the stream in the woods (or crick, as we called it) without losing my footing when I hit the other side. Down again Id go, on

my face. While everybody else would run

across the huge downed tree crossing that same stream (crick), I was the one who knew Id fall in head first if I attempted it.I had to sit and scootch myself across the log on my rear end. Believe me, there was no glory in that.With all the falling on my face, its amazing that I dont have a chin like Jay Leno.

My clumsiness has followed me throughout my adult life. I can fall over anything.Or nothing. I fell once in the yard walking across totally flat ground.My daughter, who at the time, was about 10 said, How can you even fall over NOTHING?I dont know.Its just a gift I have, I remember telling her.

At any rate, during the last year

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E by Bonnie Wonders e


I have gone to work on crutches and have been black and blue almost every other month.Actually, I now turn those lovely old people shades of black, blue, purple, green and finally yellow, when I bruise.Last summer I was trimming the roses in the back yard and tripped over a metal cut-out of an Amish buggy and horse.I strained something in the back of my knee which promptly started turning colors within an hour. I limped into the house and drug out the ice packs and laid on the couch for the rest of the evening. When I got up to get a shower, the pain was incredible and I thought I was going to barf from it.My hubby came to my aid and helped me get a shower and into bed.By the next morning I knew I wasnt going anywhere without my trusty crutches.

You CANT go to work like that, Dave said.Of course I can, I informed him.But you cant even stand alone, he argued.I can stand

on one leg, I told him.You will go to the doctor and you wont drive. Let me get a shower and Ill take you in for X-rays, he said. After much back and forth arguing while I wrapped my knee, I agreed to do as he instructed. Naturally, when he was taking his shower, I made my escape out the door, down the three front steps and into the car.Ive had a LOT of practice with crutches, so I dont know just WHO he thought he was dealing with.Apparently an amateur.

When I pulled into the parking lot at work and got to the front door of the shop, I could hear my phone ringing.When I finally got the door unlocked, I could hear Daves voice on the answering machine.What

the H___ are you doing? Didnt I tell you to wait for me? Im coming to get you and you ARE going to the doctor....I picked up the phone and interrupted his rant. Calm down! I admonished him. Im fine, I dont need to go the doctor. Its feeling much better right now anyhow, I lied to him. After 10 more minutes of him giving me heck a customer walked in.I have to go, I told him and hung up.

Apparently, I should have thought that one through a little more. Do you know how hard it is to try to lift a dog while you are standing on one foot, balancing on crutches?Thankfully most of the dogs owners put their dogs into the tub for me.Getting them out was

Do you know how hard it is to try to lift a dog while you are standing on one foot, balancing on crutches? Thankfully

most of the dogs owners put their dogs into the tub for me. Getting them out was a different story.

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a different story. I had to pull one grooming table over to the edge of the tub and put the dog on it. Then I pushed that table over to the other grooming tableand coaxed the dog over to the second table.There I was, hanging onto the table with one arm and a crutch with the other. What a sight it was all day. By the end of

the day I was totally spent. Thank God I had at least learned to groom while sitting during one of my prior accidents. NEVER underestimate the value of a good grooming stool on wheels! I worked like that for more than a week. By the end of the second week I was able to give up the crutches but it took a couple months

for the pain to go away. NEVER would I have admitted that to my husband!

My next big oops was several months after the knee incident.I was goofing off with my husband and was chasing him through the house.Now first off, you have to understand that our house is not some big open floor plan.You cant actually run through it.Picture it more like two old people chasing each other through a nursing home.Yup, it was with that much speed.Just as I made it to the bedroom behind Dave, I lost my footing and somehow fell against the big ballaster on our four poster bed.Yep...right onto my chin once again.This time, I really did a number on it though.I hit the bedpost with enough force thathalf of the post snapped offand went flying through the air, landing on the dresser, just missing the mirror. I also managed to run one of my bottom teeth right through my lower lip.All the way through.

My husband turned around in time to see me on the floor with blood gushing everywhere.Honey, youre bleeding! he gasped.He got me to my feet and I ran to the bathroom to see what I had done. I knew it was bad.I was terrified that I had broken some teeth or knocked some loose. I probably have the equivalent of 400 poodle groomings invested in my mouth.You need to go to the ER, Dave was saying. This time, I was in total agreement with him.I didnt know what I had done, but I knew it was bad.It needed stitches and all I could do was keep rinsing my mouth out with cold water to try and slow down the bleeding.

Dave went to get the truck and it just HAD to be that we were experiencing the worst ice storm that I can ever remember happening here.

There I was, hanging onto the table with one arm and a crutch with the other.

What a sight it was all day. By the end of the day I was totally spent. Thank God I

had at least learned to groom while sitting during one of my prior accidents.


We really live out in the country and the snowplows hadnt even touched our road. Dave couldnt get the truck out of the driveway which was nothing but solid ice everywhere.I had no choice but to wait till it passed.Of course that wasnt going to happen all night, so I sat with a towel on my mouth for quite a while.Let me get you a popsicle, Dave was saying.I don wanna popthickle, I was lisping out. My bottom lip was humongous at this point and I could feel the giant cut below my lip.Youll like them. Theyre bananna, he tried again.I don wanna popthickle, I repeated. Im telling you, youd really like one. Or do you want something else to eat? He insisted.Are you kidding me? (which came out more like) Ah u kithin e, I asked him while almost crying.He was so shook up too, but then he uttered the unthinkable. See what happens when you act a fool? he asked. I could have knocked him in the head with that bed post. Like I told you so, was what I really needed to be hearing at that point.

After what seemed like forever, the bleeding finally stopped and I got two cold bottles of water and laid in bed all night with one on the front of my chin and another under my jaw.When I got up in the morning I looked quite a sight. It was like an episode of Botox gone wrong on my lip and my entire chin (dang thing!) and throat were black and blue. I figured that since the bleeding was done and I had a full day of work to do, there was no reason not to go in. The salt trucks had done our road a couple hours ago, so to work I went.

I couldnt eat anything solid for three days and could only drink slowly through a straw. I tried hiding in the grooming room as much as possible so that customers wouldnt

I couldnt eat anything solid for three days and could only drink slowly through

a straw. I tried hiding in the grooming room as much as possible so that

customers wouldnt see me.


see me.I had Lou do all the talking to customers and taking in the dogs. It was quite an effort for me to talk on the phone without sounding like I was TRYING to sound like an idiot.

Of course pretty much the whole bottom of my faceturned all those atrocious shades of yellow and green too over the next three weeks.My customers who DID see me were shocked beyond shocked. The best laugh that I had from it though was when Ed, one of my customers, managed to see me while I was trying hard to keep my head down as I gave his dogs back to him. I happened to look up at the wrong moment and he jerked his whole body backward. What the _____ happened to you? he asked. Telling him the truth I said, I was chasing my husband into the bedroom and I fell against the bed post. After just a split-second

pause he came back with the most unexpected response....Well GOOD for you!GOOD FOR YOU!he said nodding his head emphatically. You know, if MY wife had bothered to chase ME around the bedroom, we probably wouldnt be divorced right now!Way to go! Youre a good woman! he said.I thought Id bust a gut laughing at that one!

Pretty much healed from that experience now with a reminder scar below my lip to tread carefully in the house, I had been accident free until a few weeks ago.I was out raking the winter debris from the flower beds when I turned and tripped over the end of the spit rail fencing. Down I went over the fencing but NOT on my chin this time, (Yay!)At this time, I am currently sporting a skinned shin, along with my usual complimentary rainbow colors on my

ankle and foot. It hurts, but at least Im not needing crutches. When I went in to work though a few days ago Brenda, one of my customers, brought her dog in. Hi Brenda, I said reaching over to her dog. Well, Hi yourself! Brenda said. Its so good to see you out of your cast, she said. What cast? I asked puzzled. The last time I was here didnt you have a broken arm? She said turning her head sideways. No, no cast, no broken arm, I said. Huh...for some reason I was thinking you were the one who was always having some dumb accident and that you were in a cast, she said. Never mind, she said waving her hand at me as she went out the door.

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SHARPENING YOUR DREMEL SKILLS

E by Jon Porter e

R ecently, my wife and I purchased our own grooming salon which was established over 18 years ago. Our salon is very busy, so we decided to hire another groomer. We wanted someone with experience without all the bad habits and drama. This was easier said than done. We interviewed and tried quite a few groomers before we hired someone to join our team. We hired a groomer who was only a year out of school. We didnt know it at the time, but when it came time to have him try his hand with the dremel, he wasnt up to our standards with it. He is a

great groomer but using the dremel was a new concept to him.

After questioning whether we made the correct choice, we found out that grooming schools (not all but some) dont teach how to use the dremel. I questioned my wife (shes been grooming almost 15 years and she taught at a grooming school as well) and she told me that the dangers of using the dremel are not worth the risk of teaching. Im not a groomer so I dont know (I left my career in the music business). I know I used to have weekly training seminars with my staff when I was in the music business, so I asked why

not train on how to use the dremel. My wife was not sure of how to

train with the dremel without using a dog (to avoid liability) when training. She told me that if I could come up with an idea on how to train with the dremel, we should spread the word as it is something schools should teach to better prepare students for their career. I thought long and hard and came up with a simple idea. I asked the groomer to go out and get a box of pencils. I took a pencil, and with a rubber band I attached it to a stick. I told my groomer, sharpen the pencil with the dremel without touching the lead inside. As he started to


sharpen the pencil, I grabbed the other end of the stick and started moving it around to simulate a dogs paw pulling and pushing. We did this over the course of several days and woo-hoo, he can dremel nails now! Yes, it is only a simulation but it is as close to the real thing as you can get. There are other factors that you cannot train for such as a fluffy tail or furry legs, but its a good start.

As an owner of a grooming shop, we implore schools to implement this training exercise for future generations of groomers. Owners are looking for groomers that are ready to handle the real world of grooming and not groomers that have to learn as they go. Grooming is a talent that can be learned with a few basic scissoring skills, lots of reading (grooming how to), practice and most of all, patience. Yes I make it look easy with words but we know it is not.

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BEARTHE BAD

I work with a number of rescue groups that have a continuing problem. Th ey have dogs that bite people. Sometimes the biting is only a matter of territoriality. Th e dog goes ballistic when guests come to the house. Sometimes its resource guarding. If it is front-door aggression the easy solution is to simply confi ne the dog when guests arrive. If its a food issue you can make sure that food isnt left lying around. However, if the problem is limited to veterinary care and grooming it takes on a whole new meaning. Th ats where we come to Bear.

The BearBear is a black, formerly

ragged, Miniature Schnauzer.

He is a delightful example of his breed, except for one thing: In limited circumstances he used to predictably bite people. Specifically, he bit anyone who tried to touch his hind feet. When the rescue group took him to the vet, he lived up to expectations. They told the vet that he bites when you handle is hind feet so the vet grabbed one of his hind legs and Bear bit him. (That is a reminder that none of us are teeth-proof.) My challenge was to get him trustworthy enough that he could be adoptable.

Ethical IssuesMost people think that behavior

modification is an either/or process. Thats how modern trainers and

behaviorists speak of it. Either we use positive reinforcement and they like us or we use positive reinforcement and punishment and they call us abusers. Making a choice of either/or isnt in my job description. My ethical obligation to the clients is to use whatever will work to successfully inhibit a behavior. (I didnt add the word safely to that sentence because skilled handlers dont injure dogs and safety is an integral part of good handling.) My job is to fix the problem rather than pandering to an ideology that limits my tools.

The Full ContextThe most common outcome for

a biting dog is euthanasia or a life

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of periodic terror as expert handlers wrestle and muzzle him into submission. That may be a cheap way to express anal glands but it forms a giant hypocrisy. If we may not use punishment because it may cause fear and possibly pain, how does one justify not using punishment that insures perpetual, periodic terror and pain? If scaring the heck out of a dog three or four times will inhibit the aggression, how does that compare to scaring the heck out of the dog three or four times a year for the rest of its life?

The other shoe is about to drop. The levels of restraint needed to get the job of grooming and veterinary examination done often elevates the aggression over time. Each time you ride the pony you will have to crank a little harder than last time. Eventually you get a dog that anticipates what you are going to do

and starts offering the aggression automatically at first sight. That places the dog at a much higher risk of euthanasia. That kind of handling often spills over to other previously acceptable handling by the owner. For instance, Bear bit anyone who tried to touch his hind feet, likely because a groomer or previous owner cut a nail too short. I think the logic is simple: If there is an alternative that terrifies him a couple of times but inhibits the biting, we have an ethical solution to his problem.

First StepsMy first step might not seem

connected. I taught him that the sound of a clicker meant a treat was on the way. To change his behavior, it could not be dependent on either pole of behavioral effects. I need to both reinforce good behavior and punish the aggression. If that

sounds like the opposite of what behaviorists always propose, take a deep breath. Positive reinforcement increases behavior. It cannot stop or inhibit behavior for the future. Most of you know that. Some of you may not. I have been punishing aggression for more than two decades. If you imagine it brings on the terrible side effects so often predicted, go to YouTube and look at my channel wilkesgm1. Watch Bears transition from biting to being able to be groomed and tolerate a vet exam. I also have an article on my home page at www.clickandtreat.com that explains how I discovered the process. Look for a link that says aggression and operant conditioning.

Back to the storyI needed a precise way to mark

good behavior and reward it heavily.

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That creates contrast in either/or fashion. If you try to bite my hand something is going to happen that you arent going to like. If you dont bite my hand you are going to get something tasty. That is what creates a new, dependable repertoire, minus the bad behavior. People who depend on force without the positive side for contrast run the risk of teaching the dog that there is bad stuff and neutral stuff but nothing else. In essence, handling that focuses on getting the job done uses this format. In Bears case, we stopped a grooming in the middle because, though we could have pulled it off without being bitten, it would have put us in the hole for the future.

Safety First and AlwaysMy first job was to teach him

to like wearing a quick-wrap muzzle with a soft slip lead made of hollow,

braided rope. You put it on, take it off, click, and then give him a treat. Repeat. Soon he could have his mouth wrapped and still wag his tail. Some dogs take a while to adapt to this. If you can pull it off, it makes things much easier later on.

Next, I taught him that the word NO meant a rolled up towel was going to come flying at him. Rather than attempt to bonk him the first time while grooming, I used the same pre-conditioning strategy I used for the clicker and muzzle. I bonked him for barking wildly when he heard the doorbell. That took about three repetitions to stop. Then he got treats for being quiet. You can see this process again, on my YouTube channel. Three or four of them are from Barkleigh Groom Expos.

Once I could muzzle him without causing him to overreact, I started holding him as his owner handled

his feet. If he struggled I restrained him with a firm squeeze and let off the pressure when he relaxed. Intermittent pressure allows the dog to learn. Constant pressure tends to cause constant resistance and escalates the dogs arousal. On the first couple of attempts I said NO and bonked him if he whipped around to bite. After that the behavior was suppressed and we could muzzle him, handle him and shove treats in his mouth.

The whole process took about six hours of instruction over a period of a month. About a week ago I took him back to the vet. I still used a quick-wrap with a lead around his muzzle but it wasnt very tight and I still didnt completely trust him. He was relaxed through the whole exam with the same vet he bit. Hes about 95% ready to go into an adoptive home. Mission almost completely

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accomplished. Teaching a dog to inhibit

aggression and accept the stress of grooming and vet exams is a productive task. Leaving a dog in rescue that actively bites in response to handling means it can never be adopted into a family. Even then, it will have to be tranquilized at t

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Groomer to Groomer June 2015